According to Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, Judge Joseph Pomponio held hearings in Pocahontas County on Wednesday, August 22.

State vs. Shauna R. Spence, no age available, of Louisa, Virginia, was set for trial on November 1. She was allowed to remain on bond, which was conditioned so that she may travel to work in Virginia. Spence was indicted on grand larceny and conspiracy charges.

State vs. Greg C. Sharp. Sharp, 28, of Cass, asked for trial to be set; however, a plea agreement is in the works, according to Sharp’s defense counsel, Eugene Simmons. Sharp is charged with felony fleeing while DUI and DUI.

In the civil suit David S. Tupper vs. Angela Riffey, Pomponio ruled in Tupper’s favor in the amounts of $673, $265 and $500 in attorney’s fees, plus court costs. Tupper’s testimony indicated that Riffey owed him rent for three months, while Riffey said some repairs were needed on the rental property. The judge also ruled that Riffey is entitled to the security fee held by Tupper.

On Friday, August 24, Judge James Rowe was on the bench in Pocahontas County Court, Carr said.

In the civil suit Ann D. McKee vs. Michael Doss, Rowe allowed 10 days to have a party willing to sign a right-of-way agreement to be joined in the case. Doss said McKee bought a lot in Slatyfork Village, which was owned by several individuals, one of whom was going to sign a right-of-way agreement, but the closing for the property went through before it was signed.

Rowe also heard the civil case Richard Dwain Wilcox vs. Consolidated Public Retirement. Wilcox told the Court that he wants to withdraw at this time, but would like to pursue the matter in the future; however, he asked for an additional four months, and the matter was set for a ruling on the issue of dismissal on October 25.

State vs. Wayne Allen Cool. Cool, 51, of Bartow, was sentenced to one-to-five years in the State Penitentiary. Rowe deferred the sentence and gave Cool the opportunity to “address problems and show the Court one last time that he can better himself.” Bond was modified to include Day Report. The matter was continued to September 21. Cool was indicted for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, delivery of a controlled substance and two counts possession of a controlled substance.

State vs. Christina Taylor. Two charges of delivery of a controlled substance against Taylor, 35, of Cass, were dismissed at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Donna Price. Price told the court that the arresting officer had no credibility and she had no information.

State vs. Steven L. Adkison. Price also asked for the dismissal of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance against Adkison. The prosecutor said that the investigating officer was involved in a personal matter, and that the confidential informant was relocated by Sheriff David Jonese, and she had no way of contacting the individual. Adkison was released from his bond.

During a show cause hearing concerning preparation of court orders, Rowe asked Price for an update as to the preparation of her late orders. Price said she was taking each case in the circuit clerk’s list and preparing all the orders, as well as final orders, but she did not have the judge’s list finished. Rowe directed her to collaborate with Carr to address any problems with which the circuit clerk could help her. Rowe also told the prosecutor that there are many mistakes, both major and minor, in the orders she has entered, and he has been taking time to correct them. Rowe asked that Price and her staff proofread all work concerning orders of the Court.